Genesis 26:19-26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 26:12-25

Here we have, I. The tokens of God's good-will to Isaac. He blessed him, and prospered him, and made all that he had to thrive under his hands. 1. His corn multiplied strangely, Gen. 26:12. He had no land of his own, but took land of the Philistines, and sowed it; and (be it observed for the encouragement of poor tenants, that occupy other people's lands, and are honest and industrious) God blessed him with a great increase. He reaped a hundred fold; and there seems to be an emphasis laid upon... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 26:26-33

We have here the contests that had been between Isaac and the Philistines issuing in a happy peace and reconciliation. I. Abimelech pays a friendly visit to Isaac, in token of the respect he had for him, Gen. 26:26. Note, When a man's ways please the Lord he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him, Prov. 16:7. Kings? hearts are in his hands, and when he pleases he can turn them to favour his people. II. Isaac prudently and cautiously questions his sincerity in this visit, Gen. 26:27.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:19

And Isaac's servants digged in the valley ,.... In the valley of Gerar, as the Septuagint version expresses it: and found there a well of springing water ; or "living water" F12 מים חיים "aquarum viventium", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius. , which continually flows, as Aben Ezra rightly interprets it: hence this phrase is used of the perpetual and ever living graces of the Spirit of God, John 4:10 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:20

And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen ,.... About the well which was dug in the valley; and this shows it was near Gerar or at least was upon the border of the country, and so it was a disputable point to whom it belonged: saying, the water is ours ; though the well was dug by Isaac's servants, yet they laid claim to the water, pretending it was their ground, being on their borders: and he called the name of the well Esek : which signifies "contention": the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:21

And they digged another well ,.... That is, Isaac's servants: and strove for that also ; the herdsmen of Gerar disputed their right to that also, and strove to get it from them: and he called the name of it Sitnah ; which signifies "hatred", it being out of hatred and malice to him that they gave him so much trouble; from this word Satan has his name, and these men were of a diabolical spirit, envious, spiteful, and malicious. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:22

And he removed from thence ,.... A little further from their border, to cut off all pretence, and put a stop to all dispute and controversy for the future: and digged another well ; in the place he removed to: and for that they strove not ; it being at such a distance from their border, they could not have the face to claim any right to it: and he called the name of it Rehoboth ; which signifies broad and spacious, places, enlargements: for now hath the Lord made room for us ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:23

And he went up from thence to Beersheba. From the place he last, removed unto Beersheba; the famine being over, he returns to the place where he and his rather formerly lived, Genesis 21:33 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:24

And the Lord appeared to him in the same night ,.... The first night he came to Beersheba, in a dream or vision, in which the Lord was represented as speaking to him: and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father ; though he was dead, he remembered the covenant he made with him, and the promises he made unto him: and besides, though Abraham was dead as to his body, yet alive in his soul; for God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, Matthew 22:32 , fear not ; any future... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:25

And he builded an altar there ,.... At Beersheba, where his father Abraham had planted a grove before, and very probably had built an altar also, though it might not be now standing, Genesis 21:33 , and called upon the name of the Lord ; and gave him thanks for all his mercies to him; for the care he had taken of him, and provision he had made for him and his during the time of famine; and for the protection and preservation of him in Gerar; and for his deliverance of him out of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 26:26

Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar ,.... After Isaac was settled at Beersheba, and was still increasing in his family and substance, of which Abimelech very probably was informed; and fearing lest he should resent his being sent out of his country by him, and the ill treatment he met with afterwards from the herdmen of Gerar in the valley about the wells, and should employ his riches and power against him, and fall upon him, and take his kingdom from him, he took a journey from Gerar to... read more

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